As Offensive Player of the Week, Griffin Provides a First

The N.F.L. announced Wednesday that Robert Griffin III was the N.F.C. offensive player of the week for his performance in the Washington Redskins’ 40-32 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. That made Griffin the first rookie quarterback to win an offensive player of the week award for his debut game.

Griffin, the No. 2 overall draft pick, completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. He became the first player in league history to amass 300 yards passing and have two passing touchdowns without an interception in his N.F.L. debut.

Griffin is also the first rookie to throw for at least 300 yards and win a season opener.

The league started giving the player of the week awards in 1984.

BOUNTY MEETINGS IN THE WORKS Commissioner Roger Goodell and four players whose suspensions were recently lifted by an appeals panel have agreed to new meetings on the matter.

The N.F.L. spokesman Greg Aiello said no specific dates had been set for the meetings.

The players, Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, were suspended for their roles in what the league said was a bounty program conducted by members of the Saints.

Goodell is reconsidering whether to hand down revised suspensions for the players.

Peter Ginsberg, a lawyer representing Vilma, said Vilma hoped to meet with Goodell by early next week. Ginsberg said the meeting would not be considered a hearing, but would be more akin to preliminary fact-finding meetings that occur at the outset of the disciplinary process outlined by the collective bargaining agreement.

The panel that lifted the players’ suspensions Friday did not permanently void them or address the merits of the bounty investigation. Rather, it asked Goodell to start the disciplinary process over.

BILLS RENEW LEASE FOR NOW The Buffalo Bills and Erie County agreed in principle to a one-year lease extension that would allow the team to keep playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium next season. Talks will continue on a long-term deal.

HURD’S FRIEND PLEADS GUILTY A friend of the former receiver Sam Hurd has formally pleaded guilty to a cocaine possession charge in connection with allegations that Hurd tried to start a drug ring.

The friend, Toby Lujan, appeared in federal court in Dallas, almost a month after negotiating a deal with prosecutors. Lujan formally changed his plea to guilty before a federal judge.

Lujan’s plea deal calls for a prison sentence of 5 to 40 years. It also requires his testimony if asked.

NO WORD ON ARIZONA STARTER Arizona Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt is still not naming a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at New England.

John Skelton did not practice Wednesday, but Whisenhunt would not rule him out for the game, saying he was improving.

Skelton left with a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s opener against Seattle. Kevin Kolb led the winning drive in a 20-16 victory.

RECEIVER IS CHARGED Chad Johnson has been formally charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. He faces up to a year in county jail.

Johnson was arrested last month after his wife accused him of head-butting her during an argument in front of their home. The Miami Dolphins released Johnson a day after his arrest.

Johnson was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning and to file a written plea of not guilty.

LINEMAN FINED FOR TACKLE Dallas left tackle Tyron Smith was fined $15,000 by the N.F.L. for his horse-collar tackle that prevented a touchdown on an interception return in a win over the Giants.

When asked if it was money well spent, Smith said it was, because the play helped his team.

AROUND THE LEAGUE Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said left tackle Russell Okung should be able to play Sunday against Dallas. ... Indianapolis receiver Austin Collie will practice this week and could play Sunday against Minnesota. ... Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart returned to practice after missing the opener with a sprained right ankle. ... Buffalo defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has been excused to be with his family; his younger brother was one of three people shot and killed in a suburb of Birmingham, Ala., last weekend. Coach Chan Gailey said Dareus planned to return in time to play Sunday.

A version of this article appears in print on September 13, 2012, on page B15 of the New York edition with the headline: As Offensive Player of Week, Redskins’ Griffin Provides a First. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe